Just as Saul was finishing with the burn offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, but Samuel said, “What is this that you have done?”
Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.”
“How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the commandment the Lord you God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established you kingdom over Israel forever. But now you kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of His people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” (vv 10-15, NLT)